STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95 



attainable, it is only through a plentiful supply of good wood ashes 

 and bone meal. 



Twenty years ago, I discovered that it was best, in preparing 

 borders for cold grape houses, to use plenty of wood ashes, and to 

 place the fertilizing materials in successive thin layers, rather than 

 in the usual form of a mixed heap. I have one border prepared in 

 this way which is made up of sixty alternating strata of different 

 fertilizing substances, and they have remained undisturbed for 

 twenty years. The fruit product from this border has been uni- 

 formly excellent in quantity and qualit}-, from year to year, and 

 renewal has not been necessary. 



My view is, that the subterranean feeders of the vine will follow 

 what may be designated as vegetable instinct in procuring food, 

 going no further for it than is necessar3\ If we place phosphoric 

 acid, lime, potash, and nitrogenous salts in distinct layers, each 

 resting upon one of good soil, we place our vine roots, as it were, 

 at a table spread with many dishes, and unerring instinct will guide 

 in selecting what is needed to keep the vine and fruit in the best 

 possible condition. 



The saccharine qualities of the Black Hamburg and Frontignan 

 varieties are greatly improved by having at hand plentiful supplies 

 of potash ; and wood ashes is the best possible source for this 

 alkali. The German chlorides are next to be preferred, but they 

 do not, in vineyards, meet the desirable results supplied b}- ashes. 



The ordinary German Kainit, as found in commerce, I class 

 among the poisons in the list of assumed vegetable foods. I have 

 never failed to observe injurious results in the use of these salts 

 on my farm. Common salt is not a manure, and we may as well so 

 decide once for all. 



After an experience of nearly a quarter of a century in conduct- 

 ing an experimental farm, I have reached the conclusion that the 

 growth of our fruits, and most of our cereal crops, is best promoted 

 by the use of a fertilizing mixture, made up of finely ground fresh 

 bones and good wood ashes. This mixture I arranged and recom- 

 mended twenty years ago, and I find after persistent soil experi- 

 ments, extending over many 3ears, that I am using it more freely 

 than ever. 



My method of preparing it is, to take six barrels of pure raw 

 bone flour, and twelve of good wood ashes, and mix them well 

 together upon a shed floor, adding, during the mixing, twent^^ 



